Peanut Butter Terror {Avi}

[Lucy Holiday]

Lucy sat with her legs crossed beneath her. A light breeze ruffled the crimson and orange leaves clinging to the tree behind her. In her hands she cradled a disk of chocolaty goodness filled with peanut butter. The brown wrapper crinkled as she carefully pulled it away. With a happy little sigh, she lifted the disk to her lips and began to nibble away the ridged edge. Soon the peanut butter sandwiched between a thin layer of milk chocolate was all that was left. Lucy popped it into her mouth and let it melt on her tongue. Leaning back on the palms of her hand, Lucy looked up at the sky as she savored her last piece of candy. The ground around her was littered with a mixture of colorful fall leaves and half a dozen empty Reese's wrappers. The nutty smell of peanut butter wafted around her. So much better than the smell of alcohol and iodine.

The momentary flash back caused Lucy's stomach to lurch. Memories of iv pumps, cold spray and nurses scurrying around with vials of poison quickly wiped the smile off of her face. Lucy groaned softly. Her thick fingers plucked at the bright orange package beside her, desperately hoping to find just one more delicious distraction hiding inside. No luck. No more sweet, mellow mix of peanut butter and milk chocolate to distract her. Time to create a distraction of her own. Lucy ignored the dry leaves clinging to her fuzzy blue sweater as she laid back on the cool,hard ground. Thick tresses of wavy hair the color of black coffee appeared to fan out around her and mingle with the leaves.

Lucy had gotten so used to the illusion that it actually startled her to feel the dry grass scratch against her nearly bald scalp. Tiny stems poked through her G.I. Jane buzz cut and found the rips in her jeans. The momentary shock disrupted her concentration, causing her hair to fade to a softer brown. Lucy sighed as her heavily mascaraed eyes fluttered shut in a moment of concentration. Thankfully she had caught herself quickly enough to keep anyone from getting a glimpse of her buzz cut. In a matter of seconds, the shade deepened to its original tint and a new illusion appeared.

The curvy teen was now surrounded by a sea of Reese's cup wrappers! The smell of peanut butter and chocolate filled the air like perfume. Lucy was a happy camper once again. Her button nose sniffed at the air greedily. The greedy sniffing caused her stomach to growl. "Stupid steroids!" Her girlish voice disrupted the silence around her. Lucy stared up at the sky with a slight blush on her cheeks. Relax now, candy latter. Besides, it was almost Halloween - candy would be much easier to find.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi ran through the campus looking at the leaves and all that was left behind of the summer. It was almost winter, parts of New York had already gotten snow and Avi was looking forward to it. Snow meant cookies and hot chocolate. And snuggling with a blanket when it got cold. Right now though she could enjoy all of the colors that fall was producing right before her eyes. Avi The various reds oranges and yellows made everything seem bright a cheery. Though it was a bit dull when you thought about how the leaves were dying,along with the summer and fall. Like life was just falling apart.

Maybe she was just being paranoid but Avi doubted it. She had known Lucy for a while. The two had grown close over the years and Avi was sure something was wrong. She didn't know what but she was going to find out. It was annoying her that one of her friends had something wrong and she wasn't telling her. Lucy was supposed to be able to confide in Avi. When she didn't it just made Avi frustrated and angry. Underneath all of that anger though was just someone who was fearing the rejection that Lucy was giving her and her friendship. Underneath the anger and frustration was someone who was scared about what was going to happen next. She knew it was something, but didn't know what.

Avi thundered on trying to ignore the wet droplets on her face. She didn't know what she was doing, crying. Avi wasn't one to cry, to her it was weak and a pathetic thing pathetic people did. She swore she wasn't pathetic. She kept silent as ballads played out on her iPod, her feet pounding one after the other hitting the trail's well worn path. She wondered if it was something she had done. Maybe she had made Lucy mad? Or maybe she had done something and now Lucy didn't want to be friends? Avi tried to think back. What could it be?

Avi would have been a fool not to see Lucy sitting under the tree surrounded by wrappers. She was laying back and the Reese's cup wrappers were flying all over. It was almost as if Lucy was lost in them. Silently Avi came to a stop and just looked at her friend. Maybe now would be the time to ask? Avi made her way over to Lucy, making sure to dry her eyes and turn her music off. As she was approaching she heard Lucy go on about steroids. “ Steroids?” Now Avi was concerned. “Lucy is there something you need to tell me?” Avi's eyes were sad and almost unreadable. She just wanted her friend to tell her what was going on.

[Lucy Holiday]

Lucy closed her eyes and breathed in the sweet, earthy scent of peanut butter. She wasn't sure why the smell was so comforting to her and her picky stomach. All she knew was that it worked. If anyone didn't like peanut butter, they'd think her little heaven was a nightmare at the moment. Just the word steroids made her cheeks flame bright red. Her whole face felt warm and feverish - part side effect, part embarrassment from talking to herself. The footsteps rustling in the leaves near her told her that she was most likely very busted. Lucy's weary brain immediately started thinking up excuses.

That busy brain came to a screeching halt as soon as she recognized the voice addressing her. It was Avi! A surge of guilt washed over her. Lucy could hear the conflict in her friend's voice. When you hang out with someone so much that people joked about you being attached at the hip you're pretty much attuned to every little tone and gesture. Which is exactly why Lucy had been semi distancing herself from her usual partner in crime. Just another reason that Lucy hated cancer. Keeping it a secret from Avi was painful and depressing. From the sound of Avi's voice, Lucy wasn't gonna be able to keep it quiet for much longer.

Lucy took a deep breath and opened her eyes slowly. She chewed her lower lip sheepishly while trying to manage a cheeky grin. Avi did not look like her usual self. The sparkle in her eyes had faded to a wet glow and her face showed no hint of its usual playfulness. This was not good! The Reese's wrappers continued to flutter around Lucy like a protective flock of little brown moths. "Hi, wifey!" A light tone of pleading worked its way into her voice as she smiled up at the worried looking blond."You heard that, huh?"

Siting up slowly, Lucy sighed and patted the ground next to her. Once again forgetting that her hair was only an illusion, Lucy brushed the poser locks off her shoulder. Her pearly whites began to worry her lower lip again. Her arms hugged her knees and the petite brunette sighed. It was becoming such a bad habit. Without looking up, Lucy picked at a loose thread on her worn out denims. "Sit, please?" There went the visions of gum drops dancing in her head. Candy time was over.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi felt herself start to tear up as she looked at her once friend. What was wrong with her? Avi honestly couldn't think of anything she'd done. She couldn't think of anyone she had pissed off this bad to get this sort of treatment from one of her best friends. Quickly she moved a hand to her face and wiped away the tears that had started to for. She wouldn't cry in front of her. She honest to God would not.

As Avi looked over at Lucy she saw how she reacted when she realized who it was. She watched as the wrappers began to make a small shield around Lucy. Avi didn't know why Lucy would feel the need to shield herself from her. That was something that she had never done before. Avi was always able to get in, to just know something was wrong. Normally all it took was a look to get Lucy to admit what was wrong. Now she would have to show her resilience and her stubborn qualities. Avi knew that Lucy was hiding something she just had to find out.


As Lucy opened her eyes and took a deep breath Avi braced herself. She would find out what was going on. No more running, no more avoidance. If Lucy wouldn't tell her what was happening... well Avi would make her tell her. “ Yes I heard it.” Avi mummered her reply to Lucy, her eyes sad. What was she on steroids for? Avi ran through all the possible listings of what she could think of in her brain. That was just it. She couldn't think of any of them.So why was Lucy shouting stupid steroids? As she heard Lucy's voice when she realized that Avi was near, Avi found herself drawing in.

She wanted to be her normal self. Right now though that was not possible. " Yes I heard that Lucy.Will you please tell me what is going on?” She barely looked at her friend as Lucy started to play the hurt puppy card. No, she wouldn't let this go. She couldn't.

As Avi looked down at the now sitting girl she watched as she pat the ground. Did she want her to sit? Her suspicions were confirmed almost automatically when Lucy asked her to sit. Silently and moving almost robotic ally Avi sat down next to her wondering what she was going to say. "Tell me?"Would she finally learn the truth?

[Lucy Holiday]

Just one look at Avi and Lucy knew she had screwed up royally. All the doctor's appointments, mysterious absences, mood swings, time spent moping around...ugh. Avi probably thought Lucy was being a major bitch. Lucy knew there was a good reason for not keeping secrets from your friends. Now she was learning that lesson the hard way. Even the classic Lucy Pandora Holiday puppy dog eyes were striking out at the moment. That was a major reality check. Avi was pissed and hurt - not good!

Just the look on Avi's face was tearing the little Warrior Princess apart. That look, that sadness - those were all the things Lucy had tried to avoid! How could Lucy be a kick ass, cancer fighting Warrior Princess when she was too consumed by guilt to concentrate? Her heart dropped into her stomach as Avi admitted that she had heard everything. Taking a deep breath and swallowing her pride, Lucy invited Avi to sit. Confession time! Lucy desperately tried to catch Avi's gaze, but it was obvious that her friend was wisely avoiding the puppy dog stare. "Oh, Avi..."

Lucy's voice was cracking before she even began. The multitude of candy wrappers slowly faded away as the petite brunette completely lost interest in the illusion. Right now the only thing she could think about was the stubborn blond she had hurt. Lucy focused on holding the tears back as Avi finally sat down beside her. A true Warrior Princess doesn't cry before she spills the beans! The thought ran through her head like a mantra. Taking a deep breath, Lucy gathered the courage to look her friend in the face as she responded to the request. At first all she could manage was a nod. She had forgotten about making her thick chestnut tresses bounce along. "Avi....I...umm...I'm sick..." That was all she could squeak out before she went back to chewing on her swollen lower lip. As the confession began, Lucy's hair began to fade to a softer brown.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi just wanted to know what was wrong. She just wanted to help and know. The fact that Lucy was keeping it from her just made Avi want to cry. What had she done so wring that Lucy had to hide I from her. Avi couldn't remember the last time she properly cried. It was just something she didn't do and the fact that Lucy was someone who could make Avi cry scared her. It scared her and kept her on her toes. Avi thought the two were friends, but maybe she was wrong. If they weren't friends what were they?

wiping her hair out of her face, Avi refused to look at Lucy, not sure what was going on. It just felt weird, them not being friends. Avi remembered when the two had come. They had gotten placed together for a project. Yes they had failed the project, but they had become friends because of it. Lucy kept disappearing, was having mood swings and most of all, not acting like Lucy. Avi didn't care if her friend didn't like her anymore she wanted, no, needed to know what was going on. “ What's going on Lucy?”


Avi bit her lip as she was forced to look Lucy straight in the eye. No she wouldn't cry. No she wouldn't let herself be drawn in by the look on her face. This time she wouldn't give in. Avi noticed the illusions fading hat Lucy had made. She knew Lucy was serious about this when the illusions faded. Lucy rarely let her in. Her smile could be an illusion for all Avi knew. When she heard the words that Lucy said she just about heard her heart drop. “What do you mean?” Avi looked straight at Lucy. It wasn't something she had done! It wasn't her fault! But! She was sick? What was wrong? Was it curable? What started it?

Avi had all of these thought racing through her head she almost didn't notice that Lucy's hair was fading into a softer brown. Was it connected to her sickness? Why would Lucy need to hide her hair? Frowning Avi looked at Lucy again. “ It...It wasn't something I did?”

[Lucy Holiday]

The air around them felt thick and cold. Lucy shivered even though it was still rather warm out. This had to be the heaviest conversation she'd ever had with a friend before. This was even worse than the time she had to tell her lab partner that his girlfriend was cheating on him. At least then it wasn't all about her. Lucy's hand lifted to trace one of the scars that lined her neck. The scars were invisible to everyone else, but Lucy could still feel where they were.

A deep sigh followed by a long exhale. Sick didn't exactly cover it. For a moment she ignored Avi's prodding for details. Lucy was planning to tell her, she just had no clue how to proceed. She heard the panic and concern in Avi's voice. The sound cut through her like a knife. Where was her Mom and Dad when she needed them?!? "God, Avi - no! It's nothing you did. I...didn't want...I never meant for you to think that!" Knowing that the compassionate blond had been blaming herself for the distance between them only deepened Lucy's bottomless pit of guilt. But this was Lucy's first ever time being the one to tell about the beast, and Lucy wasn't sure how to break it to her.

Feeling exasperated, Lucy slid her eyes shut in concentration. Black and white zebra print walls popped up all around them. Silently they curved and formed a dome roof over the pair of friends. Sure a random zebra striped tent would seem odd, but most people were used to Lucy's illusions by now. Satisfied with the fabricated privacy, Lucy's eyes fluttered open. A small tear leaked out the corner and glittered like a diamond against her pink cheeks.

"What I mean is that I...I have...cancer." Lucy spit the word out like it was a bitter pill.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi must have been unconsciously monitoring the wind as it had stopped.It was silent and there was a dense air, as if it were to rain. Avi didn't even realize it though as her heart felt heavy, and thus the air did as well. She didn't know what to do anymore. She had been so certain that she was the one in the wrong, that she was the one who needed to leave. She had even tried convincing herself that it was better she was being ignored and left alone. It didn't work.

Avi wouldn't look at her friend, She could hear all of her movements, but she wouldn't look at her friend. She wouldn't look and refused to do so. If she looked she knew she would lose her nerve, wouldn't be able to keep this up. Avi needed the truth, no matter how much it hurt her to get it. When Lucy blatantly refused that Avi had caused it Avi gave a sigh of relief and tucker her head between her knees, drawing them up to her chest. She was glad it wasn't her. She was glad it wasn't something she had done. She didn't want her friend to see the tears leaking out. She was just so relieved it wasn't her. Lucy was special, Lucy had withstood everything that was going on with Avi, mod swings and hyperness, ad crazyess and all. She had been there for the good and the bad, and everything in between. Trying to stop her crying Avi looked down at her hands. “I'm sorry...” Avi muttered the words before she slowly closed her eyes, a small breeze surrounding her trying to protect her from any more heartbreak.

Avi knew the minute the tent had popped up, the minute the wind stopped flowing. She opened her eyes briefly and almost giggled at the choice. It was very Lucy like to have a zebra striped tent. Only her friend could think of things like that. Avi looked over at her and smiled only slightly the tears not coming anymore she was waiting and Lucy was going to tell her. It had to be important if she had went to the trouble of putting up a tent. She saw the tear though. That was something was wrong. Dead wrong.


Avi wasn't prepared for the words that came out of her friends mouth. She sat there dumbstruck for just a minute before she realized what she had said. It wasn't right. Not Lucy. It couldn't happen to Lucy... could it? The Lucy she knew would never get cancer. The Lucy she knew would have told her. Why didn't she tell her? Avi slowly but surely moved closer to her friend. She wanted to do something and wanted to do so right that second. She inched her way closer mind determined, to get this done.

Finally getting close enough Avi wrapped her friend in a hug, no intention of ever letting her go. “ Why didn't you tell me?” Avi said this in the softest of whispers, unlike what was normal. She just wanted to hold her friend and not let go. There was no way she was going to escape now. Not when she finally figured out what was going on. Avi smiled lightly, still keeping an arm around her best friend. “ Will you tell me?” Avi wanted to know all of it. Every single last part about Lucy she wanted to know. It explained a lot and it made sense now. The disappearances, the mood swings, the cravings, Avi was happy she had been told.

“Just...rely on me this time...okay?"

[Lucy Holiday]

Once the tent was up, Lucy felt slightly comforted. She would have been even more comforted if she could actually feel the canvas surrounding her. Knowing that it would simply vanish, Lucy suppressed the urge to lean against the zebra print sides. Silently she made a mental note to put more effort into developing her tactile projection abilities. Oh well. Even though the tent wasn't solid, it still provided the privacy that Lucy needed for her and her friend.

Her friend. The friend that she had pushed away. The friend that she had let down. The friend that apparently thought that everything was all her fault instead of Lucy's. God she had really messed this all up. Cancer had messed everything up. Lucy couldn't stop the small trail of tears that began to drip down her cheek. Lucy was scared. She was afraid that Avi would be mad at her for not telling. She was afraid of loosing her best friend. A million words swam around in her head and got stuck in her throat as Avi worked her way closer. The slender blond had never smacked her before, but Lucy felt like she deserved it so she braced herself just in case.

Cringing as she waiting for impact, Lucy was surprised to feel Avi's slender arms wrapped around her instead. Immediately, relief washed over her. The exhausted brunette snuggled up to her friend and let her head rest on Avi's shoulder. Lucy didn't even care that Avi would be able to feel the short, prickly hair that hid behind the illusion. And there it was. The question that Lucy knew would be asked. Mumbling against Avi's shoulder, Lucy began to explain. "I just didn't want to have cancer here, Avi. I just wanted to be Lucy. I wanted to be normal here, even if it was just for pretend."

Lucy wiped her tears on the back of her sleeve as the two shifted positions. Still leaning against Avi's side, Lucy stretched her legs out in front of her. Just seeing the small smile on Avi's lips helped get rid of the tension built up in Lucy's muscles. She rolled her ankles lazily and nodded. "I will. I promise. No more hiding. No more secrets. I promise. It was stupid not to tell you in the first place." Returning the smile, Lucy looked over at Avi and wiped away one last tear. "Sorry about that." With an awkward shrug, Lucy apologized as best she could.

"Umm...so...I guess I should start with telling you what type and everything." A bit of the bitterness crept back in her voice as she looked back down at her fingernails. "It's called Hodgkins Lymphoma. It's an immune system thing." Lucy shrugged again, not really knowing what else to say.

[Avinea Jale]

Avi smiled as the tent went up It did give them some semblance of privacy and Avi was glad for it. She didn't want anyone else to see this. It wasn't something for the world to know, and she was, now more then ever glad for Lucy's power. It meant she didn't have to cry in front of anyone except one of her best friends. She wouldn't be venerable.

It all made sense now and Avi was ok with it. She would never abandon her friend and she wanted her to feel safe and secure around Avi. She wanted Lucy to be able to tell her anything. This was something hat Avi had always wanted. This revelation only enhanced that.

Avi nodded and rubbed Lucy's arm comforting her. The short hair surprised her, but that was ok, besides, it suited the warrior princess. That title had an entirely new meaning now. Smiling Avi grinned at Lucy. “Then keep pretending. But you don't HAVE to around me?”

Avi smiled at Lucy and nodded her agreement. “ You better stick to that promise.” Avi smiled and looked over at her friend. “It makes more sense now.” Avi fully accepted Lucy's apology and snuggled into her. All was forgiven once Lucy just told her. That was all it took for Avi to forgive her friend.

Avi nodded as the two discussed about her cancer. All that was important was that they were still friends and well, that Lucy was safe. Avi might not have known why a the time but she was feign great relief. That in itself made Avi happier then anything.


((OOC Wrapped~)